And when the Marquis de Courtornieu asked if she would consent to
testify against Baron d'Escorval, she coldly replied:
"I think that such is my duty, and I shall fulfil it, however painful it
may be."
She knew perfectly well that her deposition would be the baron's
death-warrant; but she persisted in her resolve, veiling her hatred and
her insensibility under the name of virtue.
But we must do her the justice to admit that her testimony was sincere.
She really believed that it was Baron d'Escorval who was with the
rebels, and whose opinion Chanlouineau had asked.
This error on the part of Mlle. Blanche rose from the custom of
designating Maurice by his Christian name, which prevailed in the
neighborhood.
In speaking of him everyone said "Monsieur Maurice." When they said
"Monsieur d'Escorval," they referred to the baron.
After the crushing evidence against the accused had been written and
signed in her fine and aristocratic hand-writing, Mlle. de Courtornieu
bore herself with partly real and partly affected indifference.
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